Attic Insulation Cost Per Square Foot
When comparing insulation options, cost and performance are important factors to consider. While cellulose insulation may have a slightly higher upfront cost compared to other materials, its long-term performance and energy-saving benefits make it a worthwhile investment.
How much does it cost to insulate a 1,000 sq ft attic with R-49 insulation?
Planning a home improvement project includes insulation for sound, temperature, and moisture. Insulation budget considerations should include cost/value ratio and measure performance.
R49 is the minimum code for attics in zone 5 which includes parts of the Midwest and Chicago.
R38-R49 loose fill fiberglass for example, does not perform well in extreme heat (summer days in Chicago averaging 85-90 degrees) or extreme cold (-10 30 degrees), while spray foam, mineral wool, or loose fill cellulose are all options for the attic floor. This includes air seal, baffles, and hatch cover.
R49 is the minimum code for attics in zone 5 which includes parts of the Midwest and Chicago.
R38-R49 loose fill fiberglass for example, does not perform well in extreme heat (summer days in Chicago averaging 85-90 degrees) or extreme cold (-10 30 degrees), while spray foam, mineral wool, or loose fill cellulose are all options for the attic floor. This includes air seal, baffles, and hatch cover.
Cellulose $3200
Fiberglass $2700
Spray Foam $8608
*Prices are based on the current average cost and may vary based on the scope of work.*
Cellulose loose-fill insulation has a major advantage over batt or spray foam powerful truck-mounted blowing machines blown directly into the stud cavity with the drywall already in place.
Advantages: A cost-effective alternative to spray foam when retrofitting buildings or residential homes. Cellulose is a plant-based recycled material.
Disadvantages: Thermal bridging
Advantages: Cost, green materials, non-itch.
Cellulose loose-fill insulation has a major advantage over batt or spray foam powerful truck-mounted blowing machines blown directly into the stud cavity with the drywall already in place.
Advantages: A cost-effective alternative to spray foam when retrofitting buildings or residential homes. Cellulose is a plant-based recycled material.
Disadvantages: Thermal bridging
Advantages: Cost, green materials, non-itch.
Cellulose Attic Insulation Costs Per Sq Foot Calculator
Cost for cellulose insulation include:
• Attic insulation - $2.30 Per Sq Ft
• Cathedral ceiling insulation - $3.50-5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Flat roof insulation - $3.50-5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Basement insulation - $1.50-4.00 Per Sq Ft
• The exterior wall insulation - $1.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
• Garage ceiling insulation - $3.50 – 5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Transition wall insulation-$2.50-4.00 Per Sq Ft
• Furnace room insulation - $1.50-4.00 Per Sq
• Crawl space insulation - $2.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
• Kitchen & bathroom wall insulation - $1.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
• Cathedral ceiling insulation - $3.50-5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Flat roof insulation - $3.50-5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Basement insulation - $1.50-4.00 Per Sq Ft
• The exterior wall insulation - $1.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
• Garage ceiling insulation - $3.50 – 5.00 Per Sq Ft
• Transition wall insulation-$2.50-4.00 Per Sq Ft
• Furnace room insulation - $1.50-4.00 Per Sq
• Crawl space insulation - $2.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
• Kitchen & bathroom wall insulation - $1.50-4.50 Per Sq Ft
Home Insulation Cost Per Sq Ft
On average you can get for $3 per square foot – cellulose r21/fiberglass r15 or for $4 per square foot – mineral wool r23 spray/foam r21
✓ Spray Foam 1.65 Per Inch X Sq Ft
✓ Cellulose On Attic Floor 2.50 Per Sq Ft
✓ Cellulose Blown In Walls / Ceiling 2-4$ Per Sq Ft
✓ Mineral Wool 4-5$ Per Sq Ft
✓ Fiberglass 1.90-2.40 Per Sq Ft
Insulation materials are produced in a variety of ways using several different material combinations.
Since R-Value is measured in enclosed spaces, any air infiltration into the insulated cavity significantly reduces the intended R-Value.
✓ Cellulose On Attic Floor 2.50 Per Sq Ft
✓ Cellulose Blown In Walls / Ceiling 2-4$ Per Sq Ft
✓ Mineral Wool 4-5$ Per Sq Ft
✓ Fiberglass 1.90-2.40 Per Sq Ft
Insulation materials are produced in a variety of ways using several different material combinations.
Since R-Value is measured in enclosed spaces, any air infiltration into the insulated cavity significantly reduces the intended R-Value.
Why start with the attic?
Achieving results such as comfortable stable home interior temperatures with the desired amount of humidity/dry air. By reaching the recommended home insulation R-Values through thermal performance or R-value of insulation is dependent on proper installation of that material and its interaction with surrounding materials.
Comparing insulation cost for 2×6 sidewalls, attic insulation, cathedral ceilings, and basement insulation, we find cellulose is preferred with the exception of basement wall insulation.
We install the correct/optimal insulation levels for your attic R60, ceiling R38-60, sidewall R21, basement R13, and crawl space R13-38. Your budget is $3 per sq ft for insulation which includes additional considerations.
Fire stop and air seal cost an extra .35 cents. Cellulose provides R21 insulation, fills voids and gaps left by fiberglass, performs better in summer, and has better fire resistance, mold mildew and moisture resistance, and is pest resistant.
✓ Insulation labor and material
✓ Fire stop
✓ Air seal
✓ R-value to code
✓ Proper ventilation
✓ Cozy comfortable interior
✓ Pass occupancy inspections
Comparing insulation cost for 2×6 sidewalls, attic insulation, cathedral ceilings, and basement insulation, we find cellulose is preferred with the exception of basement wall insulation.
We install the correct/optimal insulation levels for your attic R60, ceiling R38-60, sidewall R21, basement R13, and crawl space R13-38. Your budget is $3 per sq ft for insulation which includes additional considerations.
Fire stop and air seal cost an extra .35 cents. Cellulose provides R21 insulation, fills voids and gaps left by fiberglass, performs better in summer, and has better fire resistance, mold mildew and moisture resistance, and is pest resistant.
✓ Insulation labor and material
✓ Fire stop
✓ Air seal
✓ R-value to code
✓ Proper ventilation
✓ Cozy comfortable interior
✓ Pass occupancy inspections
Areas to Choose Cellulose Over Spray Foam include:
✓ Cathedral Ceiling
✓ Attic Duct Work
✓ Knee Wall
✓ Vented Attic
✓ Sidewall
✓ New Construction Sound Dampening
✓ Cathedral Ceiling
✓ Attic Duct Work
✓ Knee Wall
✓ Vented Attic
✓ Sidewall
✓ New Construction Sound Dampening
Attic Insulation Cost Advantages / Disadvantages
Insulation cost factors measured by R-Value as a key performance indicator.
Spray foam is superior in R-value per inch, making it ideal to choose a combination of closed cell spray foam as the bottom layer and fiberglass batts to fill in the depth of the framing cavity (called the flash and batt method.)Flash and Batt Method is a new hybrid combination of closed cell spray foam and fiberglass batts to reduce costs of labor and materials for spray foam insulation.
Spray Foam Insulation Cost
Spray foam insulation cost- spray foam is currently 1.65 per inch. but how many inches are you installing . 3 ” of foam vs 16 inches of cellulose you will get greater heat retention . R60 vs R21 rating for an enclosed space.
Cost per inch of R-Value for an existing cathedral ceiling. Four Considerations are fiberglass batt, loose fill fiberglass, loose fill cellulose, and closed cell spray foam. Cost per inch includes labor, material, installation.
What is the cost of spray foam?
Spray foam in a cathedral ceiling vs 6″ of cellulose. $4.50 R35 with spray foam (benefit more tight). But if you seal the gaps properly with tyvek seam tape. With cellulose gives about R21. $2. If you open the ceiling to spray cost of drywall removal and drywall replaced after spray.
Cost per inch of R-Value for an existing cathedral ceiling. Four Considerations are fiberglass batt, loose fill fiberglass, loose fill cellulose, and closed cell spray foam. Cost per inch includes labor, material, installation.
What is the cost of spray foam?
Spray foam in a cathedral ceiling vs 6″ of cellulose. $4.50 R35 with spray foam (benefit more tight). But if you seal the gaps properly with tyvek seam tape. With cellulose gives about R21. $2. If you open the ceiling to spray cost of drywall removal and drywall replaced after spray.
Fiberglass Is Rarely Used Except In Basement Walls.
Green Attic applies spray foam to cathedral ceiling roof rafters, rim joists, and crawl space and basement walls most commonly.
Cellulose insulation is used for garage ceilings, exterior and interior walls and ceilings for sound and thermal protection, and attic floors for optimal heat resistance.
Fiberglass is rarely used except in basement walls with the paper side facing out towards the living space as a vapor barrier.
Wall insulation 2×6 cellulose stops air 35 % better than fiberglass. its fire retardant and doesn’t require drywall removal for insulation . gaps and cracks in older home lower r value per inch than spray foam . cellulose is cost efficient . lower r value on a 2×4. for the wintertime fiberglass is great because the drywall holds the heat in the room . in the summer time the fiberglass is letting the heat pass through and making the drywall hot.
Cellulose insulation is used for garage ceilings, exterior and interior walls and ceilings for sound and thermal protection, and attic floors for optimal heat resistance.
Fiberglass is rarely used except in basement walls with the paper side facing out towards the living space as a vapor barrier.
Wall insulation 2×6 cellulose stops air 35 % better than fiberglass. its fire retardant and doesn’t require drywall removal for insulation . gaps and cracks in older home lower r value per inch than spray foam . cellulose is cost efficient . lower r value on a 2×4. for the wintertime fiberglass is great because the drywall holds the heat in the room . in the summer time the fiberglass is letting the heat pass through and making the drywall hot.
